Are you planning a trip to Lapland and would you also like to see the capital Rovaniemi? With our comprehensive guide, we provide you with the best travel tips and show you the coolest Rovaniemi sights. Also find out which exciting excursions you can take from Rovaniemi, where Santa Claus lives, and how you can best experience the fascinating Northern Lights. Enjoy browsing!
- What to expect in Rovaniemi
- Rovaniemi sights
- Popular excursions
- Accommodation in Rovaniemi
- Restaurant tips & Cafes
- Packing list for Rovaniemi in winter
- General information about Rovaniemi
- Small Rovaniemi FAQ
- Conclusion about Rovaniemi
What to expect in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of the Finnish region of Lapland and has a population of around 63,000. It lies on the Arctic Circle and stretches across a fascinating landscape of endless forests, lakes, and snow-covered plains. Numerous highlights and adventures await you on a trip to Rovaniemi:
Santa Claus Village: Rovaniemi is proud to be the official home of Santa Claus. At Santa Claus Village, you can meet Santa Claus, visit his reindeer, and even cross the magical Arctic Circle all year round.
Northern Lights: Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to experience this unique natural spectacle in the night sky. Embark on an evening Aurora Borealis tour and be enchanted by the dancing lights in the sky.
⛷ Arctic Adventures: From husky safaris to reindeer sleigh rides and snowmobile tours, Rovaniemi offers a variety of cool outdoor activities. We’ve tested some of them and will introduce them to you in more detail in this article.
Cultural Experiences: Immerse yourself in Lappish culture and history with a visit to Arktikum, a really cool museum and science center dedicated to the Arctic, its people, and animals.
Nature and Wilderness: Explore the pristine forests of Lapland, experience boat trips on the region’s rivers and lakes, or simply enjoy the peace and vastness of the Arctic landscape. The area around Rovaniemi offers plenty of variety.
Rovaniemi Sights
Rovaniemi is a relatively small and manageable city. You can get around easily on foot and don’t need a car within the city. While the city itself doesn’t have a ton of sights to offer, it does boast a wealth of outdoor adventures. We’ve marked all the important spots for you on the map below:
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Arktikum in Rovaniemi
When you’re in Rovaniemi, you should allow 2 to 3 hours to visit the Arktikum. This is a museum and science center dedicated to the culture, history, and nature of Lapland and the Arctic. The various exhibits were created with great attention to detail and offer a great insight into Arctic life.
We also recommend a walk through the adjacent Arctic Garden. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful parks and a popular spot for photographing the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun. In summer, there’s a small sandy beach here. After your exploration, don’t miss the delicious cakes at the Arktikum Café.
- Opening hours: Tues. – Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Admission prices: Adults €18; Children and young people receive a discount.
- Café: Opening hours may vary (see homepage)
Strolling through the city center
The city center around Lordi Square and Koskikatu and Maakuntakatu streets awaits you with many shops, small shopping centers, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, and tour operators. We can recommend, among others, the Coffee House, the small café in the Hostel Café Koti, and the Nili Restaurant.
Insider tip: You can rent winter clothing from WINTERENT if you’re not well-equipped for the low temperatures. You can get a jacket, trousers, snow boots, a tube scarf, and gloves for €89 per week. ☞ Reserve your winter clothing here.
Hiking up Ounasvaara
East of the city center rises the 204-meter-high local mountain Ounasvaara. This local recreation area offers not only 7 slopes and a ski jump, but also an observation tower, which offers a fantastic view of the city. The Ounasvaara Winter Trail leads you from the city to the local mountain (approx. 6 km). All information about the hike can be found here.
Alternatively, you can drive to the Royal Reindeer Restaurant and hike from there to the Ounasvaara Observation Tower (approx. 10-15 minutes). A trip to the mountain is especially popular when the Northern Lights are visible in the sky. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky, as the sky was completely overcast.
Santa Claus Villaga Rovaniemi
One of Rovaniemi’s most famous attractions is undoubtedly the Santa Claus Village, the official home of Santa Claus. Here you can meet Santa Claus all year round, visit his reindeer, and cross the magical Arctic Circle. Just a ten-minute drive from the city center (book your shuttle here*), Santa Claus Village awaits you with a variety of attractions.
Here you’ll find everything your heart desires: from husky farms and elf schools, the post office and Santa’s chamber to a snow hotel and a reindeer farm. Snowman World, with its snow slides, a snow labyrinth, an ice disco, and an ice skating rink, is especially popular with children.
There are various restaurants, cafés, bars, as well as Christmas-themed shops and accommodations on site. And did you know that the Arctic Circle runs right through Santa Claus Village? The Arctic Circle line is marked in the central square. Also keep an eye out for the small camera in the square. When you’re there, you can be seen live on this YouTube channel: LIVE @ Santa Claus Village. Really funny idea!
Meet Santa Claus at the Santa Claus Village
Of course, we also shook Santa’s hand and took a photo with him. If you want to take this photo home as a souvenir, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets: €35 for a printout, €50 for the download, and €80 for the photo and download combined.
You can write postcards at the post office and have them sent directly. All shipments are stamped with the original Arctic Circle special postmark. A sweet idea, isn’t it? Every year, Santa receives thousands of letters at Christmas from children around the world. We have noted the address for you below.
Attractions in Santa Claus Village
- Rovaniemi: Elf Hat Academy in Santa Claus Village*
- Combination of Husky Park and Reindeer Farm in a Minibus*
- Snowmobile Tour and Reindeer Farm Experience*
- Santa Claus Village, Husky and Reindeer Sleigh Ride*
- Dog Sledding through the Christmas Village in Rovaniemi*
Arctic Snow Hotel
One of the top attractions in Lapland is the unique Arctic Snow Hotel near Rovaniemi. Here you can not only admire fascinating snow and ice sculptures, but also experience the hotel’s beautiful rooms and glass igloos, enjoy the snow sauna, and relax in the cool Ice Bar and Ice Restaurant.
The world’s largest snow hotel is redesigned every year. Numerous activities are available on site. If you have a rental car, you can drive there yourself or opt for a guided tour from Rovaniemi.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (December 15 – April 1)
- Admission price: Adults €29 (children reduced)
- Guided tour: Adults €39 (children reduced)
- Tour from Rovaniemi: Arctic Snow Hotel Morning Excursion & Sculptures*
Popular excursions
Husky Safari Rovaniemi
Around Rovaniemi, you can take numerous husky tours. Let the cute, fluffy dogs pull you through the snowy forests of Lapland and get to know the Arctic region in a very special way. It’s a really great feeling to drive the sled yourself, and it’s not even that difficult. There are many operators offering short and long trips. You can take a short 2 to 5 km trial ride in the Husky Park in Santa Claus Village or a tour of up to 10 km outside of town.
Trial Ride (2 km)
Short trial ride through the forest in Santa Claus Village including hot berry juice and cookies. The ride lasts 8 to 12 minutes.
☞ Book a Husky Safari here*
Husky Sleigh Ride (5 km)
30 minutes of sleigh ride and play with huskies on a farm in the middle of the forest including hot drinks, overalls & transfer. You can drive the sleigh yourself!
☞ Book a Husky Safari here*
Husky Sleigh Ride (10 km)
Adventure on a family-run husky farm near Rovaniemi. 8 to 10 km sleigh ride including campfire, hot drinks, and transfer. You can drive the sleigh yourself!
☞ Book a husky safari here*
Northern Lights Tour
Do you really want to experience the Northern Lights? Numerous tours are offered in Rovaniemi, some even with a “Northern Lights Guarantee”. On these tours, you’ll travel with a guide to the best spots in Lapland (sometimes as far as Sweden) to marvel at the Northern Lights. We saw the beautiful lights in the sky by a lake in the forest just outside of Rovaniemi.
Northern Lights Tour with Guarantee
This evening tour takes you on a Northern Lights hunt with a small group of up to 8 people. The tour includes transfers, photos, and videos from your guide. Time and mileage are unlimited.
Book your Northern Lights tour here*
Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari
This evening tour takes you on a snowmobile journey through the taiga forest in search of the Northern Lights, including a campfire, BBQ, and hot drinks. The Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed.
Book your Northern Lights tour here*
Aurora Hunt with Barbecue
In a small group, you’ll travel out of Rovaniemi and into nature and darkness. The tour includes a traditional Lappish BBQ, hot drinks, and snacks. Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed.
Book a Northern Lights tour here*
Snowmobile Rides
Explore the untouched winter landscape of Lapland with a snowmobile safari. There are various tours for beginners and experienced riders that take you through snowy forests, over frozen rivers, and to remote viewpoints.
Guided Snowmobile Ride (1 hour ride)
Explore the nearby countryside as you drive through the snow and admire the picturesque scenery. The tour includes winter clothing and transfers. Driver’s license required!
Book your snowmobile safari here*
Guided snowmobile ride (2-hour ride)
We did this tour and sped through the countryside around Rovaniemi for 2 hours. The tour includes winter clothing, transfers, and hot drinks. Driver’s license required!
Book your snowmobile safari here*
Snowmobile ride and ice fishing
30-40 km snowmobile ride including transfers, winter clothing, ice fishing, lunch, and hot drinks. Driver’s license required!
Book a snowmobile safari here*
Sauna & Northern Lights
There are tour operators in Rovaniemi that offer special tours that include both a visit to a traditional Finnish sauna and an aurora hunt. We took such a tour and highly recommend it. In a private, traditional sauna on a lake, we not only marveled at the starry sky but also at the Northern Lights. Simply GIGANTIC!
Visit a Reindeer Farm
Around Rovaniemi, you can visit several reindeer farms and take part in various activities. Learn more about their way of life and immerse yourself in Sami culture. Feedings, sleigh rides, and even walks are offered.
Reindeer Farm & Short Sleigh Ride
On this tour, you will travel to a traditional reindeer farm. There you can feed the animals and take a 400-meter sleigh ride. As always, there are hot drinks and cookies at the end.
Book your visit to the reindeer farm here*
Reindeer farm & longer sleigh ride
A 2 to 4-kilometer reindeer sleigh ride takes you through the winter landscape. Afterwards, you can relax with a hot drink and listen to stories about reindeer herding.
Book a reindeer farm visit here*
Great combo offer
This tour includes a snowmobile ride, a short reindeer sleigh ride, a husky sleigh ride, winter clothing, transfers, hot drinks, and cookies.
Book a great combo tour here*
Ice Floating in a Lake
How about an ice floating adventure on a remote lake outside of Rovaniemi? You float weightlessly on the icy surface, which is a truly incredible feeling. If you’re lucky, you can marvel at the breathtaking starry sky and even the Northern Lights. After the adventure, there’s a bonfire with marshmallows, berry juice, and cookies. The transfer is, of course, included.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular activity in Rovaniemi and the surrounding region, especially when the landscape is transformed into a snow-covered winter wonderland. Whether in Rovaniemi, around Rovaniemi, or outside the city, there are numerous places ideal for such a hike.
Snowshoe Hike 1
Discover the untouched nature of Lapland and learn more about the Arctic flora and fauna. This shorter tour includes transfers, winter clothing, snowshoes, and hot drinks.
Book your snowshoe hike here*
Snowshoe Hike 2
This hike takes you through the untouched nature around Rovaniemi. You can warm up and recharge your batteries by a campfire in a traditional hut. The tour includes transfers, snowshoes, winter clothing, photos, and hot drinks.
Book your snowshoe hike here*
Ice climbing at a waterfall
Did you know that there is a canyon in Finnish Lapland that attracts numerous visitors in winter with its powerful, frozen waterfalls? Ice climbing in Korouoma Canyon lets you explore the icy gorges and waterfalls of this breathtaking landscape.
Icebreaker Cruise
When do you ever get the chance to cruise on an icebreaker? Spend a day cruising through the icy expanses of the Arctic waters on the Polar Explorer. This tour departs from Rovaniemi to Swedish Lapland, where you’ll immerse yourself in the world of the Polar Explorers. During the cruise, you’ll also have the opportunity to disembark the ship and take a walk on the frozen sea.
With special survival suits, you can even take a dip in the ice-cold pool. Back on board, a delicious 3-course meal awaits you, along with a guided tour of the ship, where you’ll gain insights into the engine rooms and the captain’s bridge. During the rest of the trip, you can relax in the cozy lounge with a hot juice or coffee and enjoy the breathtaking view over the ice.
Accommodations in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi has a wide selection of hotels in various categories, from luxury chalets to budget accommodations. Some popular hotels include the Arctic Light Hotel*, the Scandic Rovaniemi City*, and Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus*. If, like us, you want more privacy and independence, you can also rent an apartment or a vacation home. Platforms like Airbnb offer some really good deals. If you’re traveling on a smaller budget, hostels and guesthouses are a good option. Hostel Café Koti* offers the cheapest rooms and very good food. Looking for something a little more unusual? The Arctic Treehouse Hotel* is known for its modern, stylish treehouse suites and offers a very special atmosphere in the middle of nature.
More accommodations in Rovaniemi
- HAAWE Boutique Apart Hotel*
- Glass Resort*
- Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara*
- Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets*
- Santa Claus Holiday Village*
- Apukka Resort*
Restaurant tips & Cafes
Can you eat well in Rovaniemi? We’ve been asked this question quite often. Our answer: Yes! Rovaniemi has some really good restaurants and cozy cafes. In the following table, you’ll find some addresses for feasting:
Packing List for Rovaniemi in Winter
If you’re planning to travel to Lapland in winter, having the right clothing in your luggage is an absolute must. You can safely leave jeans, sneakers, dresses, and skirts at home – with temperatures between -5°C and -30°C, you’ll need thick wool socks, thermal underwear, fleece jackets, gloves, and a hat. The magic word here is the onion principle. On this trip, we once again realized how important high-quality and functional clothing is.
It’s definitely worth investing more money in merino wool clothing. We can say from our own experience that every cent is well spent. During a 10-day trip, we both got along perfectly with two long and two short merino shirts each. The material feels comfortable on the skin, dries quickly, and stays fresh for days without smelling of sweat. This means you don’t need 8 T-shirts in your luggage and save a lot of space in your suitcase.
Clothing
- Warm winter jacket or parka
- Thermal underwear (long-sleeved top + long johns)
- Fleece sweater and/or wool sweater
- Warm pants (e.g., ski pants or lined pants)
- Warm wool socks or thermal socks
- Winter boots with good insulation and non-slip soles
- Scarf, hat, and gloves (preferably waterproof)
- Sunglasses (especially important in winter to avoid snow blindness)
- Swimwear (for visiting saunas or possible ice baths)
- Flip-flops or sandals
Equipment
- Backpack or bag for day trips
- Camera or smartphone for photos (enough batteries & memory cards)
- Power bank* for your electronic devices (the cold can shorten battery life)
- Possibly a GPS device or smartphone with offline maps for navigation
- Spikes* for your hiking boots
Other
- Passport or ID document
- Necessary medication
- Travel insurance (Check international insurance here)
- Cash and/or credit cards (The best travel credit cards)
- Snacks and water for the road
- Thermos bottle* for hot drinks
- Hand warmers* and foot warmers*
- Cream for very dry skin in winter (e.g., from WELEDA*)
General information about Rovaniemi
Getting to Rovaniemi
We flew from Berlin to Rovaniemi. Eurowings* offers regular flights to Lapland’s capital city in winter. The flight time is just 2 hours and 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can also fly from other German cities. Finnair offers regular connections, but usually with a short transfer in Helsinki.
Some also fly to Helsinki and then take the “Santa Claus Express Night Train” to Rovaniemi. A seat costs from €10, a sleeping cabin for two people from €99, and a deluxe sleeping cabin for two people with a private bathroom from €119. More information here: Santa Claus Express. That would certainly be a cool experience.
Entering Finland
To enter Finland, you need a valid travel document such as your ID or passport, which must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. We weren’t asked for our ID in either Berlin or Rovaniemi. Nevertheless, you should bring it with you, as you’ll need to show it when picking up your rental car.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to travel to Rovaniemi depends on your interests. If you want to see the popular Northern Lights, you should travel between September and March. However, keep in mind that December, January, and February can be very cold, with temperatures as low as -15°C to -20°C (feeling colder). We were in Lapland in March and averaged “only” -5°C. If you’d rather enjoy the endless days of the Arctic summer, you should travel between June and August.
Getting from A to B
Rovaniemi is a small, manageable city. You don’t need a rental car within the city. If you do need to cover longer distances, you can either take a bus or order a taxi. Line 8 goes to Santa Claus Village. You can find maps and bus routes here.
Booking a rental car
If you’d rather travel on your own, you can of course also rent a car in Rovaniemi. This gives you flexibility and allows you to take some cool excursions on your own. It’s best to book your car in advance from home. We have been booking at www.billiger-mietwagen.de* for many years and have always been very satisfied. When booking, we made sure that the following services were included in the price:
- Comprehensive insurance/theft protection: 100% refund of the deductible
- Additional protection: Glass/tires/underbody/roof insured
- Liability insurance: Personal injury/property damage unlimited / €3.0 million
- Kilometers: all kilometers free
- Fair fuel policy: Full upon pick-up and return
- Winter tires: included
In Finland, winter tires are required by law from December 1st to March 31st. Our tires had small spikes. Generally speaking, driving in Lapland wasn’t particularly difficult. The roads were always well cleared despite fresh snow and icy patches. Therefore, we had no problems driving there. Of course, depending on the weather, it was advisable to drive a little slower, as the road could be slippery.
Currency & Payment
In Finland, you pay with the euro and can pay with a credit card almost everywhere. We rarely needed cash. However, you can find ATMs and banks in all larger towns, such as Rovaniemi, Ruka, and Kuusamo. In smaller townsYou can usually find an ATM in the entrance area of a supermarket (e.g., OTTO ATMs). In Rovaniemi, you can find OTTO ATMs and banks (e.g., Danske Bank, Nordea) mainly in the city center.
Small Rovaniemi FAQ
What’s the weather like in Rovaniemi? How many days should I plan for Rovaniemi?
When is the best time to travel to Rovaniemi? How far is Rovaniemi from the Arctic Circle? What’s the best way to get to Rovaniemi from Germany?
Conclusion on Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is a good starting point for a great winter holiday in Lapland. Whether you want to meet Santa Claus, explore the breathtaking landscape, or experience the Northern Lights, Rovaniemi offers numerous unforgettable experiences. Since Rovaniemi is the central hub of many visitors’ trips, the area is also very touristy. Therefore, be prepared for larger numbers of participants on the tours.
We stayed in Rovaniemi for three nights and then moved on. We found the scenery outside of the city much more beautiful, which is why we recommend staying around Posio or Ruka. Then the journey to the beautiful national parks isn’t too far. You can read more about it here: Our winter vacation in Lapland.